In the 1990s, the Muppets started a trend that, unfortunately, was discontinued. In 1992, the puppet troupe starred in “The Muppet Christmas Carol,” which cast Muppet players as characters from Charles Dickens’ immortal Christmas story. The Muppets followed with the excellent “Muppet Treasure Island” in 1996, which took a similar approach; the Muppets were mere actors putting on their own modern production of a literary classic. This was a clever use of the Muppets, and there was every reason to believe they would continue with high-end literary adaptations.

Unfortunately, the trend ended in 1999 with the release of the dull “Muppets from Space”, the troupe’s last feature film for 12 years.

In the meantime, however, there was an additional visit to the world of literature. In 2005, ABC aired the TV movie “The Muppets’ Wizard of Oz,” starring Ashanti as Dorothy Gale. Kermit the Frog played the Scarecrow, Gonzo played the Tin Woodman (er, the Tin Thing), and Miss Piggy played the four witches in the story. There was also a brief scene early on in which Dorothy met the “real” Muppets, as they were also a traveling performance troupe in this world.

“The Muppets’ Wizard of Oz” also has a fun and somewhat surreal side. Near the end of the film, just before Dorothy is about to throw water on the Wicked Witch of the West, melting her into oblivion, the film abruptly stops and cuts to a movie theater. Hollywood meeting where Kermit is studio head. Across from his desk is Quentin Tarantino, playing himself, explaining how Dorothy could murder the witch more violently. Tarantino, a famously violent filmmaker, was an odd choice for a celebrity appearance in a Muppet movie.

Tarantino became known in 1992 with the release of his well-written and notoriously violent heist film “Reservoir Dogs.” Its 1994 follow-up, the sprawling crime film “Pulp Fiction,” was an awards darling and still often tops lists as one of the best films ever made. He then adapted Elmore Leonard’s book “Rum Punch” into his most mature film, “Jackie Brown,” in 1997. Oddly enough, most of the films Tarantino has made since 2001 have been genre exercises that use violence extreme cinematography to correct a serious social injustice. . In 2005, when he appeared in “The Muppets’ Wizard of Oz,” his most recent film was “Kill Bill: Vol. 2,” the second half of a martial arts-inflected revenge film starring Uma Thurman. This movie had gallons of blood and lots of swords.

Therefore, when Tarantino pitches ideas to Kermit the Frog, he suggests that Dorothy take out a samurai sword – perhaps melted down by Hattori Hanzo – and dispatch the Wicked Witch of the West with it. “I’m talking about kung fu! I’m talking about walking on walls! I’m talking about explosions everywhere!” Kemit points out that it would be too violent for a family film, so Tarantino says that, yes, we can reduce the violence a little. Instead, he suggests using CGI to transform the Wicked Witch into various other characters, including a busty vampire vixen. (“It’s all done in the classic anime style, you know, for kids.”)

Kermit says that would be too expensive, so Tarantino suggests that Dorothy kick the Wicked Witch. In the face. “Now,” Kermit said, “we can afford it.” And there you have it, that’s what’s in the final film.

It’s a good thing that the makers of “The Muppets’ Wizard of Oz” included Tarantino in their movie because, as we all know, little kids love Quentin Tarantino’s movies. From what I understand, eight-year-olds especially love “The Hateful Eight.”

In May 2005, Tarantino appeared on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien”, and the chatty director had plenty to say about working with the Muppets. Like many human actors, he expressed amazement at the skill of the puppeteers operating the Muppet characters and discovered that he was having conversations with the actual Muppets and not a puppet operator. Tarantino has also admitted to having a special affinity with Rowlf the Dog, the pianist from “The Muppet Show” and the original co-star of Kermit the Frog (both originally played by Jim Henson, although Bill Barretta has played Rowlf since 1996). Tarantino said he liked Rowlf at first, and Rowlf responded with a note of lament, hating that her role in the Muppets had been diminished since the 1970s. “It’s like I’m having a legitimate conversation with a bitter old movie star!” Tarantino noted.

Tarantino also spoke with Janis (played by Tyler Bunch in 2005), the Muppet member of Electric Mayhem, and he admitted to having a crush on her. Without warning, he gave Muppety a kiss on the lips, only then recognizing that he was kissing Bunch’s hand. O’Brien, and everyone who met the Muppets, admitted to being equally star-struck upon seeing Kermit the Frog.

Since 2005, the Muppets have starred in two additional feature films: “The Muppets” in 2011 and “Muppet Most Wanted” in 2014. They also featured in an unsuccessful 2015 television series, also called “The Muppets”, as well than in 2020’s “The Muppets.” The Muppets Now” and “Muppet Mayhem” from 2023. They also appeared on a holiday variety show with Lady Gaga and the Disney+ special “Muppets Haunted Mansion.” Quentin Tarantino didn’t direct any of them.